The Tamil film industry was struck with gloom and shock as noted actor Bijili Ramesh passed away today in the early hours at the age of 46. He was suffering from a prolonged illness believed to have been caused by alcoholism. A few days back, his family appealed for financial help from the film community to get him through the treatment. His final rites will take place near MGR Nagar, Chennai, at around 5 pm today.
Bijili Ramesh gained widespread recognition after appearing in prank videos by a sketch group on YouTube. The videos went viral, making him a pop culture icon in 2018.
That same year, he was cast in a special promotional song for Nayanthara and director Nelson Dilipkumar’s film Kolamaavu Kokila. This marked his entry into Tamil cinema, where he appeared in films such as Hip Hop Adhi’s Natpe Thunai, Amala Paul’s Aadai, Jyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal, and Jayam Ravi’s Comali, among others.
Bijili Ramesh also participated in Vijay Television’s cooking reality show, Cooku With Comali. A devoted Rajinikanth fan, Bijili Ramesh mostly took on comedic roles throughout his career. Unfortunately, he had been bedridden for several months due to illness. In multiple interviews, Bijili Ramesh admitted to struggling with alcoholism, which he attributed to the difficulties in his life. He urged others to avoid alcohol addiction and prioritise their health.
Bijili Ramesh, who was widely recognised for his struggles with alcoholism, ultimately faced severe health challenges directly related to his addiction. His persistent alcohol abuse led to significant deterioration in his physical health, compelling him to seek medical attention and resulting in his hospitalisation. During his time in the hospital, Ramesh battled a multitude of health complications, including liver cirrhosis, kidney dysfunction, and heart problems. Before his hospitalisation, he had been paralysed, rendering him unable to stand or walk.
In one of his final interviews with media outlets, Ramesh openly admitted that his alcohol consumption had devastated his health and life. He confessed, “I can’t stand in one place anymore. I kept making mistakes and indulged in many wrong things before my marriage, which led me to become an alcoholic. I want my fans and others to learn from my example—avoid alcohol and any other harmful habits that destroy your health.”
He also expressed his deep disappointment over the lack of support he received in his time of need. Bijili Ramesh recalled that there were once at least 40 people, friends and acquaintances, surrounding him when he was active in the film industry. But in his final days, as he struggled with illness, not one of them had come to visit him.
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